BIRD BIOGRAPHIES 



The WESTERN MOCKINGBIRD is found in California, 

 southern Wyoming, northwestern Nebraska, and west- 

 em Kansas, south to Mexico and Lower California. 

 It has a longer tail and wings than the eastern spe- 

 cies, and is a paler gray. 



NUTTALL called the Mockingbird "the unrivalled 

 Orpheus of the forest, and the natural wonder of 

 America." His voice certainly has power to "soothe the 

 savage breast," to interest the mind because of the varied 

 range and remarkable technique, and to uplift the soul, 

 especially when heard in the stillness and beauty of a 

 moonlight night. 



There is great difference of opinion regarding the 

 "mocker." He is more loved and admired in the South 

 than in the West, and is regarded with pride as worthy to 

 be called the nightingale of America. Most writers have 

 sung his praises, but occasionally some one regards him 

 with disfavor because of his habit of interlarding his beau- 

 tiful song with curious and disagreeable sounds. Wilson 

 Flagg says, "He often brings his tiresome extravaganzas 

 to a magnificent climax of melody and as frequently con- 

 cludes an inimitable chant with a most contemptible ba- 

 thos." ^ 



The power of mimicry varies with different individuals. 

 In a brief interval of time, one bird may imitate a wood- 

 pecker, a phoebe, a wren, a jay, or a cardinal, so as to 

 deceive most listeners. He may produce the sound made 

 by the popping of a cork or the buzzing of a saw; the next 

 moment he may scream like a hawk to frighten chickens 

 and send them to cover, or cluck like an old hen and bring 



iprom "Birds of New England," by Wilson Flagg, used by special 

 arrangement with the Page Co., Boston. 



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